Cardinal Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, recently weighed in on the situation of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), which plans to consecrate new bishops without the permission of Pope Leo XIV this summer, risking excommunication and schism.
In a blog post uploaded in Italian to X March 6, the cardinal noted that the situation is complex, writing that “it seems that even traditionalists are divided.”
Cardinal Zen said this is understandable and that two things need to be considered: First, that “a schism must be avoided with every effort, because it will cause serious and lasting damage to the Church.”
“But on the other hand,” he continued, “a major issue of conscience must also be respected: ‘How can someone be forced to follow teachings that evidently deny the Holy Tradition of the Church?’”
In reflecting on how the situation could be resolved, Cardinal Zen noted that “the SSPX have been sent to dialogue with the head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, but is there even a glimmer of hope from this dialogue?”
In February, after the SSPX announced the intention to consecrate new bishops with or without the Pope’s approval, the dicastery’s prefect, Cardinal Victor Fernández, met with the SSPX superior general in Rome. The proposed path of dialogue offered by Cardinal Fernández had required that the SSPX suspend the planned episcopal consecrations. Following the meeting, having considered the proposed path of dialogue with the Vatican, the SSPX decided to reject the offer and proceed with the consecrations.
Cardinal Zen likened those directly involved in the situation to several people in the Old Testament reading for Mass that day. The reading from Genesis 37 relates a story about Joseph, Reuben, and their other brothers. Their father, Israel, loved Joseph best and gave Joseph a tunic. The reading states that “When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons, they hated him so much that they would not even greet him.” Eventually, the other brothers, except Reuben, plotted to kill Joseph. Reuben sought to intervene with his other brothers to protect Joseph.
“Reading today’s first reading and the following responsorial psalm from Mass, it seems one can see it this way,” Cardinal Zen wrote, attributing each biblical figure with its modern-day counterpart in the situation at hand. According to the cardinal, Joseph would be the SSPX, Joseph’s brothers would be Cardinal Fernández (who is sometimes known as Cardinal Tucho, as Cardinal Zen referred to him), and Reuben would be like Pope Leo, “perhaps with the help of His Excellency [Bishop Athanasius] Schneider.”
Cardinal Zen continued by quoting the line from the Old Testament reading, “Joseph’s brothers hated him.”
“[Cardinal Fernández], who intends to dismantle the Church’s traditions — how could he not hate the SSPX?” Cardinal Zen continued. “He will probably be delighted to see them excommunicated!”
But this does not mean there is no hope, Cardinal Zen continued, writing that “there is Ruben, the good brother,” and “there is Leo, the good Father!” He added that for Pope Leo, “the unity of God’s family is close to his heart!”
The SSPX has expressed a number of theological concerns regarding some content in the documents of the Second Vatican Council — a point that Cardinal Fernández had offered to address through the proposed dialogue, as Zeale News reported.
In his statement, Cardinal Zen also reflected on what might happen if the SSPX does not accept the Council.
“Pope Leo is one who listens! He understands,” Cardinal Zen wrote, “and will make his children understand that certain things perpetrated in the name of the so-called ‘spirit of the Council,’ but contrary to the Church’s Tradition, are not of the Council!”
Cardinal Zen also said it is evident that “it is a mistake to want to eliminate” the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM).
“The Novus Ordo did not respect the intentions of the Conciliar Fathers,” he continued, adding that Bishop Schneider “has gathered abundant evidence on this point.” Cardinal Zen also recalled Pope Benedict XVI’s point that the two forms of the liturgy — the Traditional Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo — can be mutually enriching when both are celebrated. He noted that Pope Benedict spoke about this mutual enrichment when talking of the “reform of the reform.”
Concluding, Cardinal Zen wrote: “Let us place our trust in Pope Leo — he has begun the catechesis on the Documents of the Council; it is to them that we must all return!”
The SSPX issued a press release the same day about Cardinal Zen’s publication.
The SSPX said it “has no intention whatsoever of causing a schism” and that its only motivation is to be able to ensure its apostolate can continue “in the service of the Church.” Zeale News reported in February that Cardinal Fernández had warned that for the Holy See, proceeding with the episcopal consecrations without Pope Leo’s approval “would imply a decisive rupture of ecclesial communion (schism), with grave consequences for the Society as a whole.”
In the March 6 statement, the SSPX noted Cardinal Zen’s words about the importance of allowing the celebration of the TLM to continue.
“These words echo the concerns of many clergy and faithful throughout the world who maintain the Traditional Latin Liturgy as a spiritual treasure of the Church and an authentic expression of the Catholic Faith,” the SSPX said. “The true unity of the Church can only be built by remaining faithful to received Tradition.”
“This appeal by Cardinal Zen — despite his concern to preserve the Second Vatican Council by attributing its deviations to a supposed ‘spirit of the Council,’ and despite his desire for a ‘reform of the reform’ of the liturgy that would attempt to save the Novus Ordo — nevertheless resonates with a deep convictions of the SSPX,” the statement added.
Currently, the episcopal consecrations are set to take place in July.